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Appearing on Eric and Ernie’s TV show in the 1970s and 80s was such a badge of honour that the cream of the acting profession fell over themselves to sign up: Olivier, Rigg, Guinness, Dench... And news presenters were always fair game, as the cartwheeling South Pacific routine proved. Pop stars, too. And the more humiliating the sketch, the better: Eric disses Cliff Richard to his face; Shirley Bassey’s elegant high heels are replaced with clodhoppers.

Regular joke-butt Des O’Connor entered into the spirit of things by writing his own self-putdowns; one of them’s a gem.

But in the latest, laughter-stuffed look behind the scenes, we see that the Sunshine Boys didn’t get everything their own way. Watch their tumbleweed reception on The Ed Sullivan Show before an audience of uncomprehending Americans. Their loss.

About this programme

2/5. The series paying tribute to the double act continues with a look at some of the most memorable guest stars to appear on their shows. Narrated by Victoria Wood.